The Quest for Steve

A couple of weeks ago I watched a documentary called "Tribute", which follows small-town Americans attempting to live out their rock & roll dreams by playing in tribute bands. In it, they spoke with one gentleman who was not in a band, rather a groupie to a Queen tribute band. He saw this band numerous times, organized groups to see them, and was distraught at the thought of the band breaking up due to the lead singer getting a gig in the Germany production of "Cats". I felt pity for this SuperFan, when suddenly it dawned on me that some people probably have that same pity reaction to my various SuperFan-doms, as I had towards him.

Yet I continue.

The alarm went off at 4:20am yesterday and 45 minutes later, I was sitting on the sidewalk outside of NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center. Why? In attempts to get a stand-by ticket for Saturday Night Live hosted by Steve Martin with musical guest Prince. As stated in previous posts, Steve Martin is my ideal man, so it seemed almost obligatory to get up in the middle of the night, go into the city, and site in the cold for two hours, just for the possibility that I might be able to get a seat to see him. When I arrived at 5;15am, I was not the only person out there. There were at least 20 people in front of me -- in tents and sleeping bags -- who also had the same idea. Another 20 were sans camping equipment and just waiting. It was a balmy 50 degrees. I brought a book with me and the 2 hours passed fairly quickly. I was given the option of getting a stand-by ticket for the dress rehearsal or the live show and chose the dress rehearsal. I got my ticket and saw that I was number 39 in the stand-by line. Not feeling too optimistic, I went home. (Perhaps I should mention that I got home in time to purchase a ticket for Billy Joel's 12th -- and final show, according to Ticketmaster. This brings the Billy MSG show total that I am going to to 4. So 5 shows overall, not counting if he schedules a Saturday show in Washington.). Then the power of sleep overtook me.

I awoke a few hours later. Got ready and headed back out. It was a feeling of deja vu walking back to the PATH station. The streets were as eerily quiet and the sky the same shade of dark it had been hours earlier. I was also having flashbacks from working at the Cut, which had me working nights, or as I like to think of it, the worst 6 weeks ever.

Back at Rockefeller Center, I was ushered into yet another line. All of us looked at the line of people who had actual tickets get longer and longer, and any hopes we had progressively dashed. I met some nice people in line. That, if nothing else, made the experience worthwhile. We are then escorted to the metal detectors in groups of 15. Our goal, the NBC page told us, was to get on the elevator. This would be the sign that we are getting into the show. I never thought going to a TV show would be so stressful. The first 15 go through the metal detectors, as does the second group. I am 9 people away. The stress is palpable. In an instant, we are told the studio is filled to capacity and are given thanks for coming.

The people I felt sorry for were those who made it through the metal detectors but not the elevator. Also, the people who braved the overnight elements were also unrewarded for their efforts.

Was I disappointed I didn't get in to see Steve Martin host SNL? Sure. But it was a different experience that I would definitely try again for. Until then...

Quote of the Day:
"What's another word for Thesaurus?" -Steven Wright